Gangs And The Military 5of7

Gangs and the MilitaryGangs and the MilitaryPresented at

Northwest Gang Investigators AssociationOctober 2007

Al Valdez, Ph.D. UCI & Carter F. Smith, APSU

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How Do Service Members Get Involved?How Do Service Members Get Involved?

• In almost every case: prior membership in these groups as they re-associate themselves with local groups through contact at night clubs, malls, or public events.

• Soldiers involved with gangs usually get recruited while in the service or had some contact before entering the military.

• Gang members can spot other gang members with little trouble. This is a survival technique they have learned since being initiated into gangs.

- USAREUR Gang Brief, typical of most military briefings

Who says there is Who says there is Gang Activity in the Military?Gang Activity in the Military?

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Gang Activity in the Military?Gang Activity in the Military?

• “Gang-related activities appear to be more pervasive than extremist activities on and near Army installations and are becoming a significant security concern for many soldiers.”

– 1996 Army Task Force Report on Extremist Activity _

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• Gang members in uniform use their military knowledge, skills, and abilities to commit and facilitate these serious crimes.

• Many gang members have fraudulently enlisted in the military by failing to report past criminal records.

• Gangs view the military communities as sources of steady revenue, for sales of narcotics or as a pool of potential victims.

• Gang members target active-duty military members because of their access to weapons, ammunition, and training. Gangs also use active-duty service members to distribute their drugs.

Fort Bragg, NC Newcomer’s Brief

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• There have been reports of gang conflicts on military bases

• . . . special concerns because of the urban warfare training taught . . . in Iraq and Afghanistan, these gang members come home and may display these skills against law enforcement.

• . . . the military has been in denial in the past and appears to be finally confronting the problem.

Intl Latino GIA Security Threat Assessment - Hispanic Gangs (R-May 2006)

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• Law enforcement (in El Paso, TX) identified at least 80 people with military connections who had committed gang-related crimes.

Jeremy Francis, FBI

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• "People are initially surprised that there are gangs in the military, but really it shouldn't be a surprise."

• "For somebody to believe there are no gangs in the military would be very naive.“

– Edward Cohn, Executive Director

- National Major Gangs Task Force

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• The military and gangs recruit from the same strata of society.

• The discovery of gang members in the military is "not uncommon at all."

• The armed forces generally do a good job of trying to keep out gang members.

• "If you're in a street gang, the military doesn't want you. Recruiters, they want to see all your tattoos"

– ADL Analyst Mark Pitcavage

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Gang Activity In The Military?Gang Activity In The Military?

• Are there currently active groups of individuals forming street type gangs and extremist groups on military installations? – There is ample evidence that members of the Armed Forces had

previous, or have current and active contact with criminal street gangs or extremist groups.

– There are members of these groups currently on active duty with the military.

– There are currently no known gangs that solely consist of military members.

– Simply stated, gang activity is present, but mostly at low level of activity.

- USAREUR Gang Brief, typical of most military briefings

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Gang Activity In The Military?Gang Activity In The Military?

Societal problems cross over into military life. Army leaders fight gangs with education, training,

positive influence.

• “You gotta be realistic, it’s in the Army,” a former gang member said. “Even when I was in Germany, I was reppin’ (representing a gang) a little bit at my first duty station. Went over there and wanted to be part of the crew, part of the ‘in’ crowd. People bring baggage. You bring baggage wherever you go.”

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. (TRADOC News Service, April 13, 2004)

Societal problems cross over into military life. Army leaders fight gangs with education, training,

positive influence.

• “You gotta be realistic, it’s in the Army,” a former gang member said. “Even when I was in Germany, I was reppin’ (representing a gang) a little bit at my first duty station. Went over there and wanted to be part of the crew, part of the ‘in’ crowd. People bring baggage. You bring baggage wherever you go.”

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. (TRADOC News Service, April 13, 2004)

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Phaze-1ne– started in Kosovo sometime in 2003, during a deployment. – Founded by a PFC from Vilseck, Germany. – Claims to be a car club, with approximately 33 members– Five call themselves council members (leadership positions). – Males various racial and ethnic backgrounds (Black, Caucasian

and Hispanic), between approximately 20 and 35. – Wear military ranks on their civilian clothing when at a club

meeting to indicate their positions within the group.

http://www.phaze-1ne.com has photographs of some of the members, many displaying gang signs, particularly the “piru sign”, (Bloods); and all members dress similar.

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Phaze-1nePhaze-1ne

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20042004• Pvt. Nick Pasquale believed

junior-ranking gang members had received preferential treatment from NCOs for various reasons.

• Pasquale’s wife sent an e-mail in late 2004 to CSM Michael Gravens, that said her husband believed there were gang members in the 66th Transportation Company.

• “I have indeed received the message in its entirety,” wrote Gravens in an Oct. 13, 2004, reply to Pasquale’s wife, Erica. “I assure you that your concerns will be given a close, hard look by the appropriate leaders.”

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• Death of Juwan L. Johnson in 2005 – Eight service members are suspects.

• Investigators conclude that Johnson was beaten to death during a “jumping in” gang initiation ceremony.

• “I just don’t picture my son joining a gang” . . . “Does it make any sense that he would join a gang in Germany just weeks before he’s going to leave?” linked to suspected

Gangster Disciples

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Death of Juwan L. Johnson in 2005Death of Juwan L. Johnson in 2005

• SPC Bobby Morrissette – accused of participating in the alleged gang initiation death of SSG Johnson

• PFC Latisha Ellis told a witness she had “a meeting with her family.” When Ellis returned from the meeting, she was crying and said, “He never dropped his flag.”

Ellis said, “It was only supposed to

be six at a time, but it was everybody at the same time.”

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• Pvt. Terrence Norman was sentenced to 12 (6 +6) years in prison.– involuntary manslaughter– aggravated assault– violating an Army regulation on hazing – conspiring to violate the Army regulation on hazing

all but involuntary manslaughter conviction were dismissed during the sentencing phase because they were deemed excessive

• Sgt. Rodney Howell was sentenced to 6 years confinement and a dishonorable discharge. – involuntary manslaughter– violating an Army regulation on hazing, – conspiring to violate the Army regulation on hazing – making a false official statement.

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• Staff Sgt. Alre Hudson was found not guilty, the first soldier to be acquitted in Johnson’s death.

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• Snoop Dog to Germany in 2005 – USCOM HQ doing a concert – on base – posed for pictures with MPs (one was flashing Crip signs, but different than Snoop Dog’s).

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G-Unit G-Unit

• G-Unit was founded when childhood friends, Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent, and Tony Yayo decided to make a group with each other. They met Young Buck when his group came to New York and 50 Cent heard him rapping. Tony Yayo was later sent to prison on weapons charges.

50 Cent - Curtis James Jackson III

Lloyd BanksTony Yayo

Young Buck

Gangs and the MilitaryGangs and the Military

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Gangs And The Military 5of7